One of many longest-standing “homosexual eating places” in New York Metropolis is closing its doorways after 25 years.
Elmo Restaurant, a legendary fixture in Chelsea, will serve its closing meal on March 13, founder Bob Pontarelli mentioned in a put up on Instagram.
The constructing that’s been residence to Elmo for the previous 25 years has been offered, in keeping with Pontarelli, ending their long-standing lease. The brand new homeowners are set to show it right into a residential constructing.
“For almost 25 years, Elmo has been the vacation spot for lots of of hundreds of visitors to take pleasure in a few of life’s finest moments,” Pontarelli wrote.
Within the put up, Pontarelli reminisced that the restaurant had been a neighborhood staple for late-night dinners, birthdays, Pleasure celebrations, drag reveals, marriages between visitors and likewise co-workers, memorial companies, political fundraisers and extra.
“It’s been a spot for a primary date or dinner with associates. A spot for necessary celebrations and fabulous events….or just a spot to collect comfortably with members of your group at a house away from residence. Elmo has additionally been an area for lots of of employees to construct lifelong friendships,” Pontarelli continued.
“Sadly, all issues should come to an finish and Elmo will serve its final meal on Friday, March 13.”
Since opening in 2001, Elmo has thrived as a neighborhood hangout and an iconic LGBTQ+ vacation spot.
Chelsea was extensively thought of the center of the homosexual group in Manhattan within the early 2000s. Elmo turned an “unofficial clubhouse,” as Time Out known as it, welcoming queer New Yorkers into the eating room visibly and confidently.
In a 2025 interview with Chelsea Group Information, Pontarelli mentioned it took him and his unique co-founders, his late enterprise accomplice and finest pal Stephen Heighton and Bruce Hermann, nearly two years to amass the house for the restaurant on Seventh Ave.
The restaurant shortly turned an establishment for New Yorkers with its diner-style restaurant, celebration house, and front room really feel.
Pontarelli famous that the restaurant survived all types of hardships, corresponding to Hurricane Sandy and several other blackouts and snowstorms. In addition they survived COVID “with fashion” once they launched the Coby Membership speakeasy downstairs, providing post-dinner nightlife.
“We’ve loved so many proud moments I misplaced depend a very long time in the past,” he mentioned. “With this information I personally will attempt to embrace all the gorgeous reminiscences and fantastic experiences Elmo has given me and can transfer ahead with new ventures and philanthropic tasks that hopefully can have a large affect.”
“There are few companies as difficult or as thrilling as proudly owning a restaurant in New York Metropolis. 25 years is a really very long time. To personal a restaurant that has loved the astonishing success and iconic stature that Elmo has is a privilege and an honor. It has been a splendidly exhilarating trip.”
A 2021 New York Occasions article regarded it as one of many neighborhood’s last-standing homosexual eating places, so the closure is very devastating to the group.
Chelsea resident Sarah Leonard has been eating at Elmo for the previous eight years and was devastated to be taught the restaurant would get replaced by a contemporary rental constructing.
“Elmo in and of itself is an establishment, and it’s such a go-to place. I feel it’s a haven for people who find themselves within the homosexual group, and regardless that I’m not homosexual myself, that’s a part of the individuality of Chelsea, that now we have this heat, loving atmosphere. It’s locations like Elmo,” she advised The Publish.
Leonard, 38, shared that she loves the familiarity of Elmo and patrons get to see acquainted faces each time they go — just like the previous man who goes each Wednesday for his customary soiled martini and talks about his tales from when Stonewall was taking place.
“That’s what helps to make New York — and particularly Chelsea — really feel extra like a house and residential place versus only a vacationer vacation spot,” she mentioned.
One other enterprise owned by Pontarelli, a homosexual bar known as Barracuda Lounge in Chelsea, additionally lately closed in March 2025.
Leonard acknowledged that extra housing is required, however believes that tearing down neighborhood staples will take away from what makes Chelsea distinctive and attention-grabbing.
“We’re simply turning into some unhealthy model of a Pixar film,” she quipped. “It sort of jogs my memory of that, the place every part simply feels so mechanical and devoid of character.”
“That’s what Elmo was. It had a variety of love and character.”
Many patrons mourned the lack of the beloved neighborhood spot on social media.
Bravo host and producer Andy Cohen commented with a tragic face, “Bob, this sucks. What an unbelievable run. This information is Dangerous for NYC and unhealthy for the neighborhood.”
“We are going to miss you! The final vestige of previous homosexual Chelsea — so many reminiscences there through the years! Thanks for all of the superb years,” clothier Peter Som chimed in.
“Elmo has at all times been the beginning or finish of so lots of my days. In my head, she was going to be right here endlessly. Actuality hits me onerous right this moment. I really like you, Elmo,” another person wrote.
“I’m heartbroken to listen to this information. First Barracuda and now Elmo. Each locations full of superb reminiscences. A lot love and lightweight at all times,” one fan mentioned.
“Irrespective of the event, you and your workforce did every part to make us really feel like we had a house and a household to return again to. Thanks from the underside of my coronary heart. There’s no place like Elmo. There’s no place like Elmo. There’s no place…” one other consumer commented, referencing “The Wizard of Oz.”
“This one hits the toughest — with out you, so many people wouldn’t be who we’re or have what now we have – endlessly indebted and endlessly cherished,” somebody shared.
